The ranch dressing at the 18 Oaks restaurant at the JW Marriott is made in-house with fresh ingredients.

The ranch dressing at the 18 Oaks restaurant at the JW Marriott is made in-house with fresh ingredients.

Photo: OMAR PEREZ, San Antonio Express-News

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A side dish of 18 Oaks' ranch dressing may get your child to eat their vegetables.

A side dish of 18 Oaks' ranch dressing may get your child to eat their vegetables.

Photo: OMAR PEREZ, San Antonio Express-News

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Chefs' Secrets: 18 Oaks' Ranch Dressing

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Dear Pat: I was writing to inquire about getting the recipe for the house-made ranch dressing at 18 Oaks restaurant. We loved the food and service at the restaurant, everything was amazing. In addition, I thought the kids' menu was very clever because they had tasty and healthy choices (no chicken fingers) and also starters and main courses for kids. My daughter had carrot and celery sticks with ranch dressing for the first course and pasta with cheese and butter for her main course. The ranch dressing is great and does not have all the preservatives, etc. in store-bought dressing and most importantly, she loved it and was eating her vegetables. I asked for the ingredients, and they very nicely wrote them down for me, but unfortunately I misplaced the list. I remember it has buttermilk, sour cream and mayonnaise and a lot of different herbs and other ingredients? I wanted to make it at home so she will eat more carrots! Thanks!

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Dear Christine: Good for you for preparing salad dressing at home! With the right recipe, such as this luscious Ranch Dressing from the JW Marriott Hotel's restaurant, 18 Oaks, you are way ahead of the game. It's incredibly easy to do, and its taste is so superior to the store-bought kind, it would be hard to go back in any case. Using wholesome fresh ingredients, including fresh herbs, lends added health benefits in addition to great taste.

The spacious JW Marriott boasts seven dining rooms, and 18 Oaks is situated in the Club House overlooking the 18th greens of their two TPC golf courses. Chef Jeffery Surprise heads the kitchens at 18 Oaks, and he was kind enough to convert the recipe down to a reasonable size for us. Surprise prepares grilled steaks and seafood and plenty of other sophisticated fare at dinner, and he incorporates a wide variety of local ingredients sourced from ranchers and farmers in his breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch menus. But as you mention, he hasn't forgotten the kids. Providing fresh vegetables (not just french fries!) is an example of his thoughtful attention to all of his customers.

So stock up on the carrots — and any other good veggies you'd like to introduce to your daughter. It's a great strategy for broadening her horizons, and for starting her eating habits off right.